At approximately 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, Kazumi Sakamoto, a 44-year-old middle school teacher, and Miki Takayama, 53, also an employee at the salon, are alleged to have repeatedly beaten Takahiro Shimazaki with a stone while he slept in a bedroom of the residence, which is affiliated with the salon.

Shimazaki suffered wounds to his left hand and head in the attack.

The suspects, who have been charged with attempted murder, admit to the allegations. The suspects told police they had financial problems with the victim. “We both wanted to kill him so we hit him,” Sakamoto is quoted by police, according to Fuji News Network (Feb. 22).

Over the past three years, the suspects, who have known the victim for about a decade, consulted with police regarding multiple monetary demands he has made, including a request for a luxury car.